Big Question
 

How do I burn the backup copy to my hard drive. I have both Golden Hawk and Nero. I do not know where to do that in these programs, I really need help. Is there a walkthrough on how to do all this.

BACK-UP FAQ


This FAQ is spilt into 3 sections:

Section 1: Creating A Disc Image
Section 2: Writing An Image To A CD
Section 3: Frequently Asked Questions

CDRWIN is the best program for backing up playstation games and from my experience works with all current Playstation Games. It is a very simple to use program and with this guide you will be backing up games with error free results.

The first rule when it come to Playstation games is to never try to backup a game on the fly (reading and writing at the same time), an image should always be created on your hard disk first. This will ensure that the master CD is correctly read before you attempt to write to your blank CD.

Before attempting a backup there are a few key rules to abide by.
#1 Always ensure the master CD is clean and scratch free
#2 Never use cheap media stick to TDK, Verbatamin or Kodak discs.
#3 ##### if the game requires a patch (Download the Gamefreaks database from the Utils <utils.htm> section)


Section 1: Creating A Disc Image

On loading CDRWIN you will be presented with a screen that has ten buttons. The one we need to create an image is the third on the top row (Extract Disc/Tracks/Sectors). This will display the Extract Disc screen

Step 1: Click the "Disc Image/Cuesheet" option button.
Step 2: Select your CD reader from the dropdown list. It is advisable to read from your CD Recorder
Step 3: Enter the image filename.
Step 4: Click the "Copy Raw" option button.
Step 5: Set Error Recovery to Ignore.
Step 6: Set Jitter Correction to Disable
Step 7: Set Read Retry Count to 50
Step 8: As a rule set Data Speed and Audio Speed to 1X. This can be higher but you will lose quality.
Step 9: Press the Start Button and the image will be created.

A few things to keep in mind, there should never be an error capturing an image. This is why you have error recovery shut off. Even "bad blocks" or other things that are used to copy protect cds should not appear as an error. If you see an error, it is a physical read error, and you should re-extract the original. An error free extraction will insure an error free back-up.


Section 2: Writing An Image To A CD

If the game you are backing up requires a patch, this should be done before writing to a CD. Refer to the Patching FAQ <patchingfaq.htm> for instructions of how to do this.

From the CDRWIN main menu select the first button on the top row. This will display the record disc screen.

Step 1: Select your CD Recorder from the dropdown list.
Step 2: Press the Load Cuesheet button and select the image file you have created.
Step 3: Set Record Speed to 1X. This can be higher but you will lose quality.
Step 4: Press the Start button and you CD will be created.


Section 3: Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I have backed up a Playstation game with no errors but the game will not boot.
A1. You need to have a Modchip fitted to your PSX to play backups, refer to the Modchip FAQ <modchipfaq.htm>.
A2. The game may require a patch, refer to the Patches <patches1.htm> Section.

Q. My backup plays OK but the Audio/Video within the game jumps.
A1. You are using cheap media
A2. You are trying to record the disc at too high of a speed.

Q. I keep getting "Bad Medium Detected" when reading/writing disc.
A1. You have a bad crack of CDRWIN.
A2. You are using cheap media
A3. You are reading/writing at too high of a speed.

Q. Can I make a copy of a copy?
A. Yes, as long as you have created a good copy to start with. Reading/Writing at 1X will help.

Just some corrections to the above faq, which contains some rather bad errors.

Step 1: Click the "Disc Image/Cuesheet" option button.
Step 2: Select your CD reader from the dropdown list. It is advisable to read from your CD Recorder
Step 3: Enter the image filename.
Step 4: Click the "Copy Raw" option button.
Step 5: Set Error Recovery to ABORT.
Step 6: Set Jitter Correction to AUTO
Step 7: Set Read Retry Count to 0
Step 8: As a rule set Data Speed and Audio Speed to 1X. This can be higher but you will lose quality.(THIS IS CRAP! CAN BE ANY SPEED)
Step 9: Press the Start Button and the image will be created.

It should be painfully obvious to anyone that if ANY read errors occur the source cd is bad and NOT worth copying.
Before burning the image use CDMage to ##### image for corruption, if there is any at all DO NOT BURN, in this instance reread the cd at a slower speed, if corruption still occurs, even at 1x the source cd is bad. CDMage is available at ####://cdmage.cjb.net/

NEVER, EVER USE KODAK CDS - THESE ARE TOTAL CRAP!

Have people had problems with the kodak cd's? I have used basf(emtec), tdk, and kodak, and haven't had a problem. On the other hand people have given me mr data and datacell discs, which aren't worth crapping on. I didn't even think they were upto coaster quality.
I have just recently replaced 13 backups which were on the above mentioned crap discs, and put them on kodaks. Was this a bad move? Anyone who has had bad experiences with kodak discs, can they let me know.

Think this whole issue on cd quality is just crap. I always use cheap cd's and never had any trouble in making backups! Maybe they're more easily damaged when used inapproriately but for burning there's no big dif with more expensive ones!

ive used all of the cdrs that you metioned and i never had any problems. but when i use some 700 mb cds my burner hates them and you can hear em jump around. only use cdrs that are compatible with your burner. my burner is a panasonic and its most compatible cdrs are pioneer blue cds.

there is no problem with kodac or mr data or eney other cheap cds they all work for me. :-D

Previously i was under the impression that Kodak where a good media to use for PSX backups but after recently purchasing some and trying a couple i have come to the conclusion that they are CRAP especially when you are the owner of an older PSX (scph 100x), i have used all sorts of other cdr's branded and unbranded and all with more success than the Kodak's.

In my experience, the older the psx model the more fussy it is about which cdrs it will read.

Some Kodak does have problem, the cheaper price one does cause problems, especially sold at Costco warehouse.

i came across 5% of kodak gave me problem, i generally use Mitsui CD.

Yes, Older psx machine has weaker lazer, can't really pick up certain die of cd, Mitsui has absolutely no problems on any cd rom or cd players from old to new

Cd media is obviously a contentious issue.
To those who say that the cheapo's like mr. data are fine, all I can say is that you will live and learn. I know that they seem fine at first, but come back in 1 or 2 years and you won't be saying the same thing. Cd's should last longer than 1-2 years.
I would think it would be wise to listen to people when they have problems with a specific brand. It could save us all alot of hassles down the road. From what i've read, tdk and verbatim seem to be the discs that NO ONE has troubles with. I think I will stick to these from now on.

The burner can also give trouble with different media and it may take time to find the right media for the burner, its all down to construction and laser strength.

I use the cheap cheap disks with an HP burner with no probs (none yet anyway), but the Kodaks were the only media that have ever given me trouble!

The LG burner i had only worked with TDK media although the process i used was exactly the same.

Some burners are just fussy.

Go an research Mitsui 's history,
they works with most burners, they make most of the oem disc.

they had sold a pattern to Kodark on the gold die

####://www.mitsuicdr.com/tech_papers/default.htm

I've used dozens of different cd brands and i never had a cd not working. it must be the burner or the person who burns it.

I've recently seen these new black data CDs... they look like the real sony playstation ones.

They are crap as well.

That's right
those black cd are garbage, Mitsui coated their cd on the other side where no info is written onto the cd.

in fact you can buy them in most colour
red, green, pink, blue, includes black, yellow, and so on,

cd players will have hard time reading the stupid disc